Allen Swords, an English lecturer at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina saw the comment on comic contents by retailer Chris Shorb (see 'Chris Shorb of The Third Planet on Comics Content'), and agrees:
In response to Chris Shorb's comments:
Chris, I couldn't agree with you more. I love superhero comics (in many forms) and have never claimed otherwise.
You write:
'Somewhere in the middle, the direct market begins to thrive again. And I think the one thing we can all agree upon -- getting more kids to read comics now ensures a future for all of us in the industry.'
Sure getting kids to read comics will help (and how). But that wasn't the point of my comments and reactions to Bennett, et al. They seem to articulate that comics shouldn't be dark (or if so, not by much). And that's plain censorship. Comics need to have freedom for creative growth--even within the superhero genres that dominate our hobby.
However, that doesn't mean that we can't read, enjoy, like, and debate 'serious' superhero books, either. As articulated, many people make the false claim that 'unhappy comics' shouldn't exist if our market wants to thrive. I can't agree with that, though I understand the sentiment completely.
We must thrive by diversity, not marketing masked as a 'filler' book of joys, dreams, and fluff. Have all of that, but have other materials, too. Joe Field excellently quoted Mr. Grant Morrison in regards to his All Star Superman title. And I agree with both Field and Morrison.
However, most 'all-ages' books rarely get off the ground, and the industry (retailers, publishers, enthusiasts) needs to take a serious look at getting such titles to the desired audiences. But not at the expense of alienating the adults that are now the short term lifeblood of the hobby.
Have all the funny books you want. I'll buy more than my share. But I don't want that to be all I can find because of prurient and foolish 'back to basics clamor' from the bromide. 'Peace sells, but who's buying?'
However, that doesn't mean that we can't read, enjoy, like, and debate 'serious' superhero books, either. As articulated, many people make the false claim that 'unhappy comics' shouldn't exist if our market wants to thrive. I can't agree with that, though I understand the sentiment completely.
We must thrive by diversity, not marketing masked as a 'filler' book of joys, dreams, and fluff. Have all of that, but have other materials, too. Joe Field excellently quoted Mr. Grant Morrison in regards to his All Star Superman title. And I agree with both Field and Morrison.
However, most 'all-ages' books rarely get off the ground, and the industry (retailers, publishers, enthusiasts) needs to take a serious look at getting such titles to the desired audiences. But not at the expense of alienating the adults that are now the short term lifeblood of the hobby.
Have all the funny books you want. I'll buy more than my share. But I don't want that to be all I can find because of prurient and foolish 'back to basics clamor' from the bromide. 'Peace sells, but who's buying?'
The opinions expressed in this Talk Back article are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.